In a daring daylight robbery at the renowned Louvre museum in central Paris, investigators suspect an inside job may have facilitated the high-profile heist. Recent reports suggest that the thieves, who made off with historic crown jewels valued at £76 million in a swift seven-minute operation, may have had assistance from a member of the museum’s security team.
According to an unnamed police source, digital evidence indicates collaboration between a security guard and the perpetrators, leading to leaked information about the museum’s security protocols. The culprits utilized a furniture lift to access the first floor and pilfered nine valuable pieces from the Napoleon and Empress Joséphine collection, dropping one item during their escape.
Following the arrests of two suspects, one apprehended at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport while attempting to flee to Algeria, the Louvre director offered to resign, acknowledging a critical security camera misalignment during the robbery. The incident has sparked public outrage, with experts expressing pessimism about the recovery of the stolen treasures.
French Culture Minister Rachida Dati has initiated an administrative inquiry alongside the police investigation to ensure transparency but emphasized that the museum’s security system functioned effectively during the heist. The Louvre’s leadership has acknowledged the failure in detecting the thieves’ entry promptly and is striving to address the security lapses to prevent future incidents.